Just the thoughts of scraping up the browned bits with a metal spoon really sets my teeth on edge!!
Perhaps you need some new wooden spoons?
Linda C

Replace your wood with bamboo utensils.

I used wooden spoons for years now in fact the first large kitchen spoons I ever bought, some 30 years ago, were wooden and I still have them.

There is a difference in quality with wooden spoons and the cheaper brands warp and splitter on the ends. I put mine through the DW with no problem.

I want to try the bamboo utensils too!

Michelle

Love my bamboo spatulas, even tomato sauce does not stain them, & have had them about 5 yrs. They look new, they really do!

Lucy

I'm not crazy about using wood for any kind of cooking... I don't like the way it absorbs liquids... It's not all about the stains either, it's about getting all the grease out of a spoon before you use it for egg whites, it's about getting the garlic smell out before using it for cookie dough... And it just doesn't seem sanitary to me... I know they say coat any wood product with oil before using it but what if you can't stand the smell of oil soaked wood... But... to each his own....

Rita

Linda C: Yikes - that hurt my teeth, too! Not metal, my nonstick-approved plastic utensils.

I just put "bamboo spoon" on my wish list. Thanks!

I thought the reason for using a wooden spoon is simply that, unlike metal, wood doesn't conduct heat, so the handle won't get hot while the spoon is in the pot. I don't think wood has any other inherent quality that contributes to the cooking. When I was a new bride, I bought myself some very pretty wooden spoons of different sizes, and they're still displayed in my kitchen. I use them occasionally (especially the one with the longest handle), but I like my flexible silicon spoons, too.

Sue

I use alot of wood utensils - all old - like Michele, put them in dishwasher.
What are the advantages of switching to bamboo?

I have a couple of bamboo utensils...I guess they are fine....but there is something very homey about stirring a big pot of spaghetti sauce or a huge bowl of bread dough with a wooden spoon.
My silicone spatulas are not stiff enough to scrape up any browned bits.
As for retaining grease...there is no smell nor any grease on my wooden spoons after they have ridden in the dishwasher. I have a couple that are stained from raspberry and cranberry jams and jellys...but that really doesn't bother me...I know I can sand them if I want to.
Linda C

Bamboo doesn't stain or absorb liquids or get that furry edge. I love mine. I have wood ones, too. I have a HUGE one that is perfect for certain things, not limited to cooking. Right now it is propped in my window that doesn't lock any longer in lieu of a dowel.

I use wooden spoons for many things too. I also put them in the DW, if/when they get really bad I replace them. I may have mentioned on CF before, I don't understand why, but if I try to saute out ground turkey for somehting like turkey chili the only way I can get broken down to hamburg like consistancy is with a wooden spoon.

I've switched over to OXO's heat resistant stuff now, like them way better but I still keep my old wooden spoons around for threatening my son's behind and usually end up cracking one when I smack it on the counter. Many a splinters have flown through this household.

I just love these exoglass spoons. I have never found them in a store, only on line. I have ordered them from the Solutions catalog. I agree that wood gets yucky. I'd like to try bamboo, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: exoglass spoons

I love, love, love my wooden spoons, and wish I had more. I use them for everything, and wash them in the DW.

I love my wooden spoons and couldn't imagine cooking without them.

I also have exoglass and I agree they're great, but I almost melted one making candy. For high-temperature sugar work, you just can't beat wood.

Carol

Now I have to look for bamboo spoons! You people!

Olive wood spoons are a luxury!

Another advantage of wooden spoons is that they don't scratch your stainless pots and pans, nor leave gray marks on your enamelled cast iron.

There shouldn't be any 'smell' from coating your wooden spoons with oil, if you use food grade mineral oil (look in the laxative section of the grocery or drug store). You should NEVER use regular cooking oils to oil your kitchen wood--spoons, boards, etc--because it can go rancid over time and ruin the item.

As to sanitizing wooden spoons? I, too, run my cheap ones through the dishwasher. The hand-carved ones I've made get carefully handwashed, and microwaved for a minute or 2 to be sure all germs are killed.

Goodness, I probably have a dozen, or more, wooden spoons, scrappers, etc. I use them all the time. They are my favorite cooking utensil. I have "wood" and bamboo. I put them in the DW and replace them when needed, or when I see a really nice new one.

When my grandson is visiting, he heads right for the drawer and pulls them all out. I find them all over the house after he leaves.

I love my wooden spoons too, also my bamboo spatula. The bamboo does not pick up any stains. I wash mine in the dishwasher also, all but the oldest look like new still. The only time I have had problems with permanent staining or splitting is when I bought really cheap wooden spoons.

all of my "wood" spoons are bamboo, and are the first things I grab in the kitchen. I have a flat "scraper" spoon, several different lengths of "traditional" shaped spoons, and my favorites...mini ones..I use them for alot..
I also have a tiny bamboo whisk that I love for scrambling up an egg, egg yolk, egg white..I love, love, love bamboo!!

Rita: Do you live in a Bubble ?????
Loosen up girl, it's not that bad.

I sent someone a Classic Impressionistic Style Soup Spoon.
One of a kind !!!!!!!!!!
Should have taken a picture of it before I sent it.

If I remember who I sent it to, I'll Email HER.
Imagine that! the only one in this world like it.

Maybe she will see this thread and feel guilty.
Then , I'll get a picture one day.
LOU

I love my wooden spoons, not particularly pricey, certainly not bamboo. Some I have are dirt cheap (like 3 to a pack), others cost me more. All have been loyal subjects!

Metal spoons have their place but generally I will reach for wood. I think that the reference to wood spoons in so many recipes predates the silicone spoon. As much as I like my silicone large spoons ,I prefer the wooden ones.

Mine all go in the DW and if they can't manage that, too bad for them, loyal or not!! LOL

Funny, after reading this thread I looked in my utensil crocks and I realize that I have done away with all of the wooden utensils somehow. Stuck in a forgotten drawer? All I see in the crocks are bamboo. The only one left must be the really big one which is in the window. Guess I love my bamboo. I have never had any nice olive wood ones, though I have looked longingly at them but they tend to be expensive so I head for bamboo utensils, which are inexpensive even for the high quality ones.

I love olive wood spoons and they are thinner than the cheap spoons and seem to work better.

Teresa, You reminded me that I bought some olive wood spoons and a sausage slicer tray thingy in Italy. I never thought about actually using them, they are collecting dust as decorations. Yea for me!

A sausage slicer tray thingy...oh Cathy, that just calls out for Jessy.

My older (40 yrs ago....)wooden spoons WERE designed for a lifetime, but too many moves, and too many severe climate changes kind of killed them off. Periodically, I'll go to Dollar Tree and get a pack or two...a $ a pack of three. When they get a crack or split...off they go.

I realize now that mostly I use the silicon spatulas that Do Not Melt. (I do not mean the metal handled ones that get HOT.) I usually stick them on top of the pot lid as something simmers or slide them into the handle lid. But wood does feel really nice...

I have three of the ones from the dollar store that come three for a dollar. I have a separate Sunbeam branded one that is nice and wide and the grain is much tighter than the dollar store ones.

At Big Lots a few months ago, I found an olive wood slotted turner for 2 dollars! It's lovely and beautiful. I posted a picture embedded in a different thread, but no one commented. I think they also had spoons but can't recall.

They all go in the dishwasher. The olive wood turner said not to, but I do it anyway. If it dries out, I just rub some olive oil on it like the package said to. Good as new!

I have a picture of mine as in the previous thread.
But the one I sent was a lot nicer.
It was modeled after this one.
Ah ,well, maybe I'll get a picture some day.

Wait!!! It's coming to me a little. I think her name began with a " J "

LOU

{{gwi:1479853}}

Beautiful spoon LOU!!!

I like the heat resistent spatulas too but 9 out of 10 times I reach for one of my wooden spoons. I just did some looking around at Amazon and I have some Olive Wood Spoons and did not know it. But I use these for serving salad not for cooking or baking.

My favorite for cooking is a flat-ended spoon or what ever it's called.

{{!gwi}}

And then I found this....look at the size of these spoons!

{{!gwi}}

Michelle

Michelle: I like that flat end spoon. Good for cooking
Spaghetti Sauce ( Gravy ). You can keep the bottom of the
pot from getting thick and burning.
The 2 big spoons are great. I'd like to see the pot of Spaghetti Sauce, they go with.
My Grandmother would have loved them. I had enough knots
on my head, from the small wooden spoons.
LOU
PS: Is that you??? LOL

My wooden spoons are over 35 years old, inexpensive and don't get furry or splinter. At one time I had some that did. It may depend on the kind of wood they are made of. I have one with a pointed shape on one side to use in a saucepan that isn't a saucier. I don't use mine in anything with meat in it, but more to stir pasta and make sauces. I make sure they aren't left in anything wet for more than a few minutes, rinse food off and run them through the dishwasher and they still look fine.

I'm with Maureen on this one. I tossed all my wooden spoons (except the old one we use only to stir sweetened tea) and replaced them with the high heat silicone spatulas. You can buy a 3-pack of them at Sam's for just under $15. They do not melt! We use them in Culinary classes. Excellent for making risotto!

I got rid of all the cheapo fuzzy wooden spoons and replaced them with maple, olive wood or bamboo. Love 'em. Although I do have and use metal and silicone utensils, too, it's the wood I reach for most of the time. Never had an issue with them smelling. They get handwashed and oiled with food grade mineral oil probably twice a year.

Love the bamboo spoons. They are a very hard wood and last for years and years. I hand wash all my wooden spoons, maple, olive wood(which is so beautiful) and my old cheapies. The makers of the coated and baked in non-stick pots and pans have been recommending wood or silicone utensils for years. Metal scratches and dings the surfaces of the pans and mars the finish (Also don't use Pam spray on the pans either. Some chemical in the spray will make the non-stick properties break down and wreck the pan). NancyLouise

Thanks for all the input! From what I'm reading here wooden spoons are something that most of you "like", but there's no particular advantage over the nylon/plastic/whatever spoon that I use. But that's a good enough reason for me to want one or some - seems like they just have more character.

There are some really nice ones in the Solutions catalog for $7.95 each or $6.95 each for three. I bought some and love them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Solutions

Fenworth: I like your choice.
We all get " soft and gross, on the end grain " as we get older.
But can still have character and do a good job.
LOU

I have several silicone spatulas and use them for various things. I still prefer the wooden spoons to stir pasta, sauces and when using non-stick cookware. Both have their place for sure.

Homegoods has some very nice wooden spoons etc for about 5 bucks each. I got mine from pampered chef eons ago I think 3 for $10 or so and they are still nice they may even be bamboo but wood nonetheless. Wooden spoon girl here. Sue